Refrigerating apparatus



Nov. l9, 1929.

Filed Oct. 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 19, 1929. TORREY v 1,736,470

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Shee; '2

Patented Nov. 19, 1929 PATENT OFFICE LUCIEN L. TORREY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA REFBIGERATING APPABATUS Application filed October 11, 1924. Serial No. 743,072.

This invention relates to certain improvements in my refrigerating apparatus described in my co-pending applications,'Serial Numbers 700,824 and 739,579, filed March 21, 192 1 and September 24, 1924, respectively. v

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus in which the lubricating oil is at all times maintained separate from the liquid refrigerating agent used.

Another object is the'provision of an improved pump assembly involving a reduction in the number of parts and by which the compressed gases are led directly to the discharge opening through the body of the pump.

Another object is the provision of alubrieating system for supplying oil to the motor and to the'pump bearings under a predetermined constant head. a

Another object is to provide an arrangement of the parts so'that lubrication of all moving parts of both the compressor and the motor are thoroughly and positively lubricated without immersing of such moving parts in oil. 1

It has been found that difficulties arise when liquid sulphur dioxide is brought into contact with the lubricating oil, or when the oil is splashed or atomized in the presence of sulphur dioxide gas, due to the formation of an oily foam. which may be carried over to the expansion valve in which it may provoke stoppage or; clogging by separating waxy or tarry constituents upon cooling.

These difiicult-ies are avoided in the present invention by separating the oil supply from the liquid sulphur dioxide,: by apartition wall, and by providing a'mechanical lubri cating system for the moving parts. The

40 apparatus is so constructed that only sulphur dioxide gas under reduced pressure comes in contact with the oil while the pump is in operation, and that no splashing or spraying of the oil is employed.

It has heretofore been impracticable to utilize a cylinder and'piston construction in which the gas is sucked in through the crank case, as the splash lubricating system employed resulted in the discharge of oil into the discharge pipe, from which it passed to bolts 4.

the expansion valve with the results set forth above. In my improved construction in Wh1ch all splash lubrication of the cylinder is dispensed with, the piston head suction "apparatus, the passage of lubricating oil through the expansion valve has resulted 1n a collection of parafin wax or asphaltum tar in and around this reducing valve. The elements of the valve are necessarily very small, and a very minute'quantity of impur- 1ty from the oil, when solidified out by the low temperature, will cause sticking or pluggmg of the valve.

With these and'other objects in view, I have represented on the accompanying drawingone form of execution of my device, in wh1ch- Figure 1 represents a section on the line II of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 2 is a section on the line II.II of Fig. 1.

Referring nowto the structure represented, 1 is the tank or container for the apparatus, having the bottom 2 and the cover 3.- This cover is held in place by. a series of bolts 4.

Within this outer tank an inner tank 5 is concentrically disposed and supported at its bottom by a pedestal 6 having an upturned flange 7 to assure the inner tank againstlateral movement. At the upper end the tank has an outturned flange 8 which is received between the cover 3 and the flange 1" on the upper end of the outer tank: the cover and the two tanks are held together with a hermetic seal by the use of the single series of Disposed immediately within the wall of the outer tank is the cooling coil 10, connected at the nipple 11 with a water inlet and at the nipple 12 with a water outlet. The-circulation of the water downwardly in thecoilenas shown in Fig. 1:

ables the coil to clean itself, and to pass any sand or sediment out at the lower nipple.

f The electric driving motor 13 is mounted in the upper end of the inner chamber, and has its reduced upper shaft bearing 14 carried in a centerin cup 15 formed integrally with the cover 3. he motor is formed with the reguv lar foot or connectin' bracket 16 at one side e driving shaft 17 of this motor passes through a lower bearing 18' of the motor and into a couplin sleeve 19 in general as shown in my co-pendingapplication which forms a connection with theworm shaft 20 carrying a worm 21 and which is supported at its lower end by a' thrust bearing represented at 22. The worm and the thrust bearing are carried in a cavity 23 formed in the two casting halves 24,24 forming the supblock 26, 26 for the compressor.

21 drives the worm wheel 27 Which is formed port and structure of the motor and compressor assembly. These castings also embody the supporting brackets and the cylinder The worm integrally with a double eccentric member 28, 28 and mounted on the main shaft 29.

This main shaft is carried in bronze bushings pin 35. This wrist pin is retained in the piston 36 and is packed with a mass of Wick I or similar material 37, for the purpose which will be set forth hereinafter. For the purpose of lubricating the wrist pin bearing, small apertures 38 are provided through the wall of the Wrist pin 35. v

The head of the piston 36 is formed as a valve seat 39 to receive a'conical valve 40. This valve has a stem 41 which is guided in a member 42 formed integrally with the upper portion of the piston. A pin 43 serves as the retaining member for the valve seating spring 44 which takes its other'bearing against the guide member 42.

Mounted on the upper end of the cylinder block 26 is a head casting 45 formed with cavities to receive the valve cage members 46. These valve cage members have formed thereon the conical valve seats 47, to receive the outlet valves 48 of the compressor cylinders. These valves have the guide stems 49 mounted in an appropriate manner and provided with the valve seating springs 50.

The casting 45 is cored out as indicated at 51 tp form a communication between the valve chambers above the valves 48 and a bore hole '52 formed within the body of the casting 45 the motor foot 16, if so desired. The bolts 55 are used to hold the casting 54 in rigid relation with regard to the inner tank 5.

up lubricant from the oil supply contained in the bottom of the inner tank through the pipe and delivers it through a pipe 61. A T 62 permits diversion of a portion of this oil to the pipes 63, 63 opposite the lowermost {position of the two wrist pins. At these points, the oil is delivered to theinterior of the c linders through felt washers 64 or sim-' ilar devices to limitthe passage of oil. It will be understood that the oil supply coming to these felt Washers 64 is held back and only a minute quantity permitted to pass through into the cylinder. This serves to take a small quantity of oil to the reserve contained in the Wick 37, and this supply, by seepage through the openings 38 Will keep the wrist pins well lubricated at all times.

The upper branch 66 of the oil supplypipe leads to an oil basin 67 into which is imme-rsed a Wick 68 feeding the upper oil cup I 69. of the electric motor. Since the particular construction of this oil cup forms no part of my present invention, it is sufiicient to refer to it as being a wick system for lubricating the shaft of the motor.

The oil which is delivered to the basin 67 I in excess of the requirement of the wick 68 is permitted to drip downward and be caught in a similar basin 70 supported by a short closed pipe orv rod 71 held on the piping systom 66. A wick 72 is immersed in this oil basin 70, and performs the function of supplying a limited but suificient quantity of lubricant to the lower oil cup 73 of the electric motor.

Any excess of oil in the basin-70 is per mitted to drop into a funnel 74 attached to the cylinder block by the lugs 75. From this funnel 74 the oil passes into the pipe 76 leadmg to the worm 21. In this way, the supply of flooding oil is provided for the Worm, and thereby to the worm wheel.

The main bearings and the eccentric cams are lubricated by wicks 90, 91, dipping into the crank case sump. This sump is kept at a predetermined level by the overflow openings 92 through which the excess of oil is returned to the general-sump. It will be noted that this oil level is such that the wicks 91 on the cam straps just touch the surface, and no substantial spilling occurs.

The oil level existing in the general sump is maintained at not greater t an the level of the bottom of the openings 92, so that the oil within the crank case sump wilfully rises to designate the surface of a quantity of oil which does not exceed such predetermined level.

A further branch pipe 7 6 leaves the pipe 61 and passes to the upper worm bearing.

The method of operation of this apparatus is as follows: the expanded sulphur dimediately creates a vacuum in this return pipe, by sucking the gas from the inner chamber through the lower valves 40 into the pump cylindersj The gas, after compression in these cylinders, is delivered through the chamber 51 and bore hole 52, and outlet 53 to the annular space between the two tanks. In this space, it is cooled and condenses until it collects in liquid form in the bottom of this annular space. The natural pressure ofsulphur dioxide gas prevailing .in this annular space causes the liquid sulphur dioxide to be forced upwardly through the supply pipe .83 and the nipple 84 to the ex- Eansion valve, and when this valve is opened y the reduced pressure on its other side as created by the operation of the compressor, the liquid is expanded upon passing the expansion valve to obtain a cooling effect in the cooling coil as shown in my co-pending application heretofore referred to. This expanded gas returns through the nipple 80 and the above process repeats itself.

If any sulphur dioxide be present in the oil when the apparatus is started, the vacuum immediately created bythe pump in theinner tank and above the oil level, will cause the sulphur dioxide to be withdrawn from this oil, and restore to the latter its lubricating properties.

It has been found that difficulty arises from a solution of sulphur dioxide in the lubricating oil which I amenabled to avoid in my present apparatus, by maintaining this oil carefully separated from the liquid sulphur dioxide. It will benoted that only sulphur dioxide gas under reduced pressure comes in contact with the body of the oil while the pump is in operation, and that no splashing or spraying of the oil is used.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim. as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is i a I 1. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank to receive expanded gases, a motor in said tank, a compressor in said tank to suck the expanded gases from said tank and deliver it under increased pressure to the exterior of said tank, said compressor having a reciprocating piston with a hollow wrist pin, said tank being adapted to contain lubricating oil in its bottom, said motor and compressor being located above the level of the oil supply, an oil pump in said tank'to .draw oil therefrom, said motor" driving said compressor and said pump, and a piping system connecting said pump and motor and the cavity of" said wrist pin to supply lubri cant to the bearings of the same, whereby only gases at low pressure come into contact with said lubricating oil and whereby splashing of oil in contact with the gases is avoided. i

2; In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank to receive expanded gases, amotor in said tank having a vertical driven shaft, a reciprocating compressor having a horizontal shaft and located in said tank to suck the gases therefrom and to deliver the same outside said tank under increased pressure, a mechanicalconnection including a worm .on said vertical shaft in mesh with a gear on said horizontal shaft whereby said motor drives said compressor, said tank being adapted to have a supply of oil therein to a tolerance level below said motor, said compressor shaft and said connection, a pump driven from said motor to draw oil from said tank, and a piping system connecting said pump, said motor and said connection, to supply oil to said motor and connection bearings and to the said worm.

3. In arefrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank to receive expanded gases,

a motor in said tank having a vertical driven shaft with upper andlower bearings for the same, a reciprocating compressor in said tank to suck the gases therefrom and to deliver the same outside said tank under increased pressure, said motor driving said compressor, said tank being adapted to havea supply of oil therein to a tolerance level below said motor bearings, an oil pump ,said upper basin whereby to maintain the same full to overflowing, the overflow of oil from said upper basin entering said lower basin.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank to receive gases, a motor in said tank having a vertical driven shaft, a compressor in said tank to suck the gases therefrom and to deliver the same outside said tank under increased pressure, a mechanical connection between said motor and compressor to drive the latter, said motor tank being adapted to have a supply of oil therein to a tolerance level below said motor bearing and mechanical connection, a pump driven from said motor to draw oil from said tank, receiving basins adjacent said upper and lower motor bearings, and a piping sys -tem connecting said pump and said upper from, said compressor including a piston" movable in a cylinder, said piston having the inlet valve of said compressor located in its head, said motor driving said compressor, said tank being adapted to have a supply of oil therein to a tolerance level below said shaft and motor, a pump driven from said motor to draw oil from said tank, a piping system connecting said pump with a port in said cylinder, in the line of movement of the end of the wrist pin for said piston, said piston at all times overlapping said'oil port, whereby oil under pressure from said port is delivered to said hollow wrist pin, and

. -means in'said hollow wrist pin for delivering I said lubricant, whereby the gases passing through said inlet valve are maintained out of contact with splashed oil.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a' tank to receive expanded gases, a motor in said tank, a compressor in said tank having a discharge head at its top, and

being adapted tosuck the. gases from said tank and to deliver the same into said disto actuate said compressor, said compressor assembly and housing being mounted on the bottom of said tank, said compressor also including a discharge head, means connecting and sealing said discharge head to the wall .of said tank, the interior of said discharge head communicating through a port in said wall for the discharge of said gas under pressure to the outside of said tank, whereby said head and compressor assembly and housing are held in rigid position within said tank.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank to receive expanded gases, a motor in said tank, a compressor in said tank to suck the gases therefrom and to deliver the same outside said tank under increased pressure, said compressor structure including a housing, a mechanical connection in said housing driven from said motor to actuate said compressor, said compressor assembly and housing being mounted on the bottom of said tank, said compressor also including a discharge head, means connecting and sealing said discharge head to the wall of said tank, the'interior of said discharge head communicating through a port in said wall for the discharge of said gas under pressure to the outside of said tank, whereby said head and compressor assembly and housing are held in rigid position within said tank, and a motor support on said discharge head, said motor being fastened to said support, whereby said tank, said motor, said compressor and said driving connection are held rigidly in fixed relation to each other. In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

' LUCIEN' L. TORREY.

charge head under increased pressure, a connection on said head whereby to secure the same in sealed relation with the wall of said tank with communication between the interior of said head and a port in said tank, a cover closing and sealing said tank, said' tank being adapted to have a supply of oil therein to a tolerance level below said motor and compressor, a pump driven from said motor to draw oil from said tank and a piping system connecting said pump, said motor and said compressor to supply oil to bearings thereof.

7. Ina refrigerating apparatus, the coinl bination of a tank to receive expanded gases, a motor in said tank, a compressor in said tank to suck the gases therefrom and to deliver the same outside said tank under increased pressure, said compressor structure including a housing, a mechanical connection in s'aidhousing driven from said motor 

